Opens in a new tab

Pool Tile

Pool Tile Repair and Replacement

Pool tile repair fixes the loose, cracked or scaled-over tile along your pool’s waterline. When the damage is widespread or the tile is simply dated, full replacement gives the pool a clean new edge. Pinnacle Pool Service takes both kinds of tile jobs now, for in-ground pools across the Triad and the Triangle.

Workers setting new tile, seen from above

How Pinnacle Handles Tile Work

Pinnacle manages every tile job, and the tile is set by experienced tile subcontractors. You deal with us from the first visit to the finished waterline, and we call or text you as the work wraps up.

Pinnacle is a family-owned local business. We work on in-ground pools only.

Waterline tile and pool steps under clear water

Why Waterline Tile Matters

The band of tile at the top of the pool wall does two jobs. It gives the pool a finished look, and it protects the top of the wall where the water level rises and falls.

That strip takes a lot of wear. It sits in the sun, it gets wet and dries out over and over, and it collects the scale and oils that float on the water. In our part of North Carolina, winter freezes add another round of stress as water in small gaps expands and contracts.

What Fails, and What It Looks Like

Here are the common problems on waterline tile:

Loose or popped tiles. The bond behind the tile has failed. You may hear a hollow sound when you tap it, or see a tile missing altogether.
Cracked tiles. Often from freeze damage or movement in the wall behind them.
Missing or crumbling grout. Once grout goes, water gets behind the tile and loosens its neighbors.
Scale buildup. A white or gray crust along the waterline from minerals in the water.
Dated or faded tile. Nothing is broken, but the tile no longer matches the rest of the backyard.

A loose tile is worth dealing with early. Water that gets behind one tile tends to work its way behind the next one.

Repair or Replace?

Repair makes sense when a handful of tiles are loose or cracked, the wall behind them is sound, and you can live with a close match. A repair resets or replaces the damaged tiles and regrouts the area.

Replacement makes sense when tiles are coming loose in several places or when the old tile is no longer made and patches would stand out. It also makes sense when you simply want a new look. Replacement means removing the old tile line, prepping the wall and setting new tile along the full waterline.

If you’re not sure which you need, give us a call and talk it through. A repair holds up best when the wall behind it is sound. Tile quotes are free, and you get a professional written quote with the cost and the schedule, sent by text or email.

Tile and Resurfacing Go Together

If your plaster is also worn, it pays to do tile and resurfacing as one project. The pool has to be drained for resurfacing anyway, and tile work at the waterline can disturb the plaster edge below it. Doing tile first and plaster second means one drain and a clean line where the two finishes meet.

Learn about pool resurfacing and replastering, or see everything a pool renovation can include.

Two workers setting blue mosaic tile at the edge of a pool
NPT Lightwaves waterline tile, color Aquamarine

Tile Choices

Waterline tile comes in a wide range of materials and colors. Glass tile reads bright and modern, while stone-look tile feels more natural.

We work with any type of pool tile. We meet with you in person and show you choices before you decide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes. Small waterline repairs can often be done by lowering the water level below the tile line instead of draining the whole pool. Tile work done together with resurfacing happens with the pool drained.

Tap the tile. A hollow sound, visible cracks or missing grout means it needs attention. If the problems are spread along the whole waterline, replacement is usually the better choice.

We will try. Older tile lines are often discontinued, so an exact match is not always possible. When it isn’t, the options are the closest available tile, a contrasting accent, or replacing the full line.

It depends on the size of the pool and the kind of job. A full replacement covers more wall than a repair. Most projects start within three to four weeks of signing, and your written quote includes the schedule.

Water getting behind the tile is a common cause. Failing grout lets it in, and freeze damage or movement in the wall behind the tile can open new gaps.

Let's Look at Your Tile

Give us a call or send a request to talk through your tile. Request a tile quote or call us. Triad (336) 383-1500. Triangle (984) 500-0454.

Contact Us